PHYSIOCHEMICAL, THERMAL, AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MILLET HUSK (PENNISETUM GLAUCUM L) FOR POLYMER COMPOSITE APPLICATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2025-0912-4182Keywords:
Millet husk, Alkali treatment, Physical properties, Chemical properties, Thermal behaviourAbstract
The depletion of synthetic fibers, which are mostly petroleum-based products, has mitigated the growing need to search for natural fibers for local and industrial applications. There is a need to identify new natural fibers for utilization in polymer matrix composites in order to achieve a better mix of fiber and polymer for a variety of applications. Therefore, this research aims to characterize untreated and alkaline-treated millet husk (Pennisetum glaucum L) as an underexplored fiber to evaluate its physiochemical and thermal behaviour for its possible use as reinforcement in a polymer matrix. Millet husk is a waste obtained after threshing and separation of millet grains from the panicle with fruit of the millet plant. The findings revealed that the alkali-treated millet husk (TMH) contains higher cellulose content of 73.74 %, lower density of 0.10 g/cm3, less moisture content of 1.37 %, and higher crystallinity index (CI) of 66.67 % than untreated millet husk (UTMH). There was a disappearance of the lignin peak in Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and an improvement in thermal degradation temperature of the TMH. The surface morphology of TMH was found to be rough, which enables effective adhesion with the polymer matrix. Thus, the improved properties of TMH demonstrate its utilization as a possible reinforcement material in the development of polymer composites.
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